Film

Review
Edward Scissorhands

Figure 1 Edward Scissorhands Poster

Edward Scissorhands directed by Tim Burton (1990) is a movie about the classic outcast that does not
conform into societys culture. Edward played by Johnny Depp is an isolated man, manifested by a
scientist who died before he could finish Edwardss hands leaving him with scissors as a replacement.
Edward is plucked from his gothic castle which starts on a cul-de-sac and sits high on top of a hill that
overlooks the rest of the whimsical neighborhood and is placed into the picturesque suburban
community where every house is the same size, shape and has hues of pastel greens, pinks and
yellows. The lyrics from a song called little boxes by Malvina Reynolds instantaneously spring to mind,
There's a green one and a pink one and a blue one and a yellow one, and they're all made out of ticky
tacky and they all look just the same. (Reynolds, 1962) The lyrics in this song are extremely satirical of
the American suburban dream as many architects described these Suburban neighborhoods as an
abomination of conformity. The Juxtaposition between the dark gothic exterior of Edwards castle in
the background against the vibrant coloured houses of the neighborhood show how much of an
idiosyncratic Edward really is.












Figure 2 Edward Scissorhands neighborhood and castle on hill



The interior of Edwards castle resembles some of the sets of The cabinet of Dr Caligari by Robert
Wiene and it is evident that Burton got his inspiration for the interior and also Edward himself from
the German expressionist classic.
The overall cinematic style of the fashion and interior of the houses show when consumerism and
materialism was high post war in the 50s. Burton uses not only style from the 50s but there are also
signs of the 90s with the teenagers in the film as the 90s were a time when grunge was popular and
this reflects the teenagers clothing and hairstyles. Somehow Burton makes this Jumble of style work
as one would probably not assume that the teenagers of the movie would be that menacing with
brightly coloured clothes on. The musical score of the film is what takes it to the next level as it is
hauntingly beautiful as it gives it a warm Christmassy feel and feels very familiar as it has been
rehashed in many Christmas movies and adverts.

In the 50s after the war many Americans wanted to settle down and live the American dream with 2.5
kids, a dog and a house with a white picket fence that they could call their own. William Levitt who
was the major reason for the rise of Suburbia mass-produced these cape style houses, which became
know as Levittown in farmland that he bought in Long Island and New York. The houses were all the
same with the same floor plans and the same amount of rooms. The extent of conformity of these
suburbs also spread to race, where only Caucasians were aloud on the premises. Levittown was an
embodiment of the American dream, with one important catch. The promise Levittown offered for the
future was a racially exclusive one. African Americans were denied access to this suburban dream. Every
deed signed by new homeowners contained a clause that bound them not to permit the premises to be
used or occupied by any other person than members of the Caucasian race ( Sabo date unknown)
















Figure 3 Aerial view of Levittown, New York

Burton is immense at depicting Suburban America where everybody has to follow the herd to
normality and those that dont, stand out for usually all the wrong reasons and are seen as
untouchable rejects. the residents of these clone copied houses are mistifed by the mysterious
Edward as he is an outsider and outsiders are challenged by the mainstream to conform.
.The contrast of Edward now residing in this prim and proper world makes him seem like he is of
another planet and doesnt belong there as a gossiping neighbor describes Edward as a perversion of
nature. As Edward shows that he is skillful with his scissor hands in creating spectacular topiary the
neighbours start to flip their initial opinions about him as now they can use his talents to create these
eccentric haircuts and topiary for their own pleasure, which reflects how materialistic the 50s were.

Edward Scissorhands is a unique story that will always be one of Burtons best Movies as it seems it is
his most personal and one wonders if Edward is a metaphor for Burton himself as he if he felt like he
never fit in. Burtons use of Edward being thrown into this carbon copy coloured world shows how
suburbia in the 50s really was where you had to conform with the masses and if you didnt you were
ostracised. The many mixes of styles used in the movie from the 50s pastel colours to the grungy
teenagers and the German expressionistic Mise-en-scne of Edward and his castle make it a spectacle
for the viewer and Burton manages to pull all these mixes of styles of effortlessly. The musical score of
the movie coupled with the cinematics of Edward Scissorhands is what sets it in stone as possibly Tim
Burtons best film. Burton's vision, for all its sadness, is laced with humour and humanity. Like all true
fairytales it bears endless repetition (Lee 2014)

Illustration List
Burton, T. (1990) Figure 1. Edward Scissorhands Poster
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/361484307562757497/
Accessed on (8-11-2016)


Burton, T. (1990) Figure 2. Edward Scissorhands neighborhood and castle on Hill
http://www.playgroundmag.net/noticias/historias/casas-peliculas-querriamosvisitar_0_1823817615.html
Accessed on (8-11-2016)


Mathosian M, Figure 3. Aerial view of Levittown, New York. Image courtesy
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/postwarera/postwar-era/a/the-growth-ofsuburbia

Bibliography

Lee M. (2014). Telegraph.co.uk

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/11298442/Edward-Scissorhands-review-atrue-fairytale.html
Accessed on (8-11-2016)


Reynolds, Malvina (1962) Little Boxes: Malvina Reynolds Sings the Truth. The Omni Recording
Corporation
Accessed on (8-11-2016)


Sabo K. (date unknown) people.hofstra.edu
http://people.hofstra.edu/alan_j_singer/294%20Course%20Pack/x10.%20Civil%20Rights/129.pdf
Accessed on (8-11-2016)